ABSTRACT
The Bashkirs were thought to have originated as a distinct ethnic group during the 16th century, out of the Tatar, Mongol, Volga, Bulgar, Oguz, Pecheneg and Kipchak peoples. The Chuvash Republic is situated in the north-east of European Russia. The Republic lies on the Eastern European Plain, on the middle reaches of the Volga. The Republic of Marii-El is situated in the Eastern European Plain in the middle Volga. The Republic of Marii-El is situated in the Eastern European Plain in the middle Volga. In 2013 Tatarstan's gross regional product (GRP) amounted to 1,547,152m. Roubles or 403,942 roubles per head. The territory is one of the most developed economic regions of the Russian Federation. Its main industrial centres are Kazan, Naberezhnye Chelny, Zelenodolsk, Nizhnekamsk and Almetyevsk. Kazan is the most important port on the Volga and a junction in the national rail, road and air transport systems.
